This presentation will present a range of transparency critiques in order up to open a discussion about contemporary info-activism. The notion of transparency is usually mobilised as a 'good': Transparency goes against state secrecy, represents responsible policy, and stands for openness about data and research methods. As Lessig remarked in a critical piece about the transparency movement: 'How could anyone be against transparency?' (The New Republic, 9 October 2009). This session aims to look more closely to the workings of transparency.
What political and philosophical assumptions are embedded in the use of the word 'transparency'? Does transparency also expect something from the public? And what does that say about the politics of practices of 'bringing things into view'? We will go through a list claims made by contemporary scholars (amongst others Clare Birchall, Andrew Barry, Evelyn Ruppert) who have critically examined the idea and status of transparency and look at the use of the concept in social movements. The aim of the session is a discussion about the extent to which these insights are fruitful (or too limited) to discuss contemporary forms of info-activism.